reasons that can tempt one in my position are in favor of the Anglican Church, and it is a source of much joy that there is no conceivable inducement of a worldly or mixed nature for me to join the Roman Catholic Church.  If there were I should distrust myself . . .  It seems to me that the difference between my embracing the Roman Catholic Church and any other is the same as the difference between remaining as I am, and selling all that I have and following Christ.”

His deference for his friends’ opinions, though he made their views no condition of his action, is beautifully shown by the following words:  “John, and all who feel like giving me advice, you will not hesitate in giving it freely and frankly.  There are many reasons for my present course; it is impossible for me to put them all on paper.  But when I return home and meet you all again, we will in love speak of this in common communion:  until then I will not take any decisive step.  I suppose you feel as little inclined to speak to others of the decision I have come to as I do to have it prematurely known.”

To the brother whose heart was most his own he devotes the concluding words of the letter: 

“What is brother George’s mind respecting the need of receiving this diviner life in order to bring us into a closer communion with God and make us inhabitants of heaven?  George, shall we go arm-in-arm in our heavenly journey as we have done in our earthly one?”

While awaiting an answer to this letter he began another, in which he summarizes more explicitly such of his reasons for becoming a Catholic as might appeal on ordinary grounds of controversy to his mother and his brother John, the latter of whom had recently become an Episcopalian.  Our extracts, however, will be made from the passages more strictly personal and characteristic: 

“Concord, June 14, 1844.—­Until I hear from you I cannot say how you may view my resolution or feel regarding the decision I have come to, and therefore I am at a loss what to say to you respecting it.  One thing must strike you as inexplicable:  that I relinquish my studies here so suddenly.  This arises from the fact that I have not kept you perfectly informed concerning the change my mind has for some time been undergoing with regard to the object and end of study, its office and its benefits.  I kept silent, thinking that my views might be but temporary, and that it was unnecessary to trouble you with them.  My simple faith is, in a few words, that we must first seek the kingdom of God, and then all necessary things will be given us.  And this kingdom is not found through nature, philosophy, science, art, or by any other method than that of the Gospel:  the perfect surrender of the whole heart to God.”